An Elven Archer-type [Archive] - Wizards Community

An Elven Archer-type [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Zaknafein43608
03-26-06, 09:50 AM I was looking to make an elven archer-type, and was wondering what would be the best way to go about this? I had started a thread a few days ago about there being no actual "archer" PrC, but I have since decided that the best way to start this is by being a fighter as suggested. The bonus feats help amazingly. I just want to know what to take as a PrC. I'm trying to stay away from the Arcane Archer, I don't want to dilude that character with sorcerer or mage levels. I was thinking about either the Order of the Bow Initiate or the Scout. What do you all think? Any and all help will be appreciated.
MasterOfPsychic
03-26-06, 10:02 AM Scout is no PrC....

But WHY? Why take a prc? It has no logic at all, as you just seem to play a generetic archer...
Zaknafein43608
03-26-06, 10:28 AM Scout is no PrC....

But WHY? Why take a prc? It has no logic at all, as you just seem to play a generetic archer...
Sorry, my bad. The Scout is a character class. But to answer your question, it's not totally necessary for me to take a PrC. I was just looking to see what would help in his archery. What I am trying to do is make a character that resembles what the elves in LotR at the Battle of Helm's Deep were like. I liked Haldir alot, and I am BIG on what my characters look like for character drawing and all. I know it sounds silly to put so much effort into my characters, but that's just the way I am. I have been this way for a long time, since I have been playing D&D since 1981. I hope that you know what I am referencing as what the look is I am describing here? If not, I have no clue as to how to show you a picture of what I am talking about.
But, getting back to what you are saying, I should just stay as a fighter and build that way?
Wolf72
03-26-06, 04:02 PM stay fighter all the way ... just my opinion.
Mitchell
03-26-06, 09:15 PM There is an archer-type PrC in the Complete Warrior, if you want to investigate that, but the feats that the fighter class offer will allow you to build a formidable archer without going anywhere else.
I would give you the name, but my books aren't handy right now, and I always seem to get it wrong when I go from memory. :)
ksbsnowowl
03-27-06, 11:45 AM Check the Archer Build Thread linked in my sig.
moriarty13
03-27-06, 02:11 PM Fighter will give you more than enough feats to make a good archer, but multiclassing or going into a PrC gives you other things. For example, a scout/fighter will probably do more damage in mobile situations than a pure fighter. A Rogue/Fighter gives options for hiding and sniping (especially if you use all those feats to get into Shadowdancer and get Hide in Plain Sight).

Fighter is fine, but just look around for multiclassing to make it more FUN:).

Though there aren't many really good PrCs for archers.

One level of Exotic Weapon Master gives you the ability to fire an exotic ranged weapon without provoking an attack of opportunity. Greatbow from Complete Warrior fits that bill nicely.

Highland Stalker from Complete Adventurer can build on a nice fighter/scout beginning to get some nice tracking toys and advanced skirmish (and full BAB).

Order of the Bow Initiate synergizes REALLY well with skirmish (bonus bow damage is only applied to a single shot as a standard action, which works nicely since you want to move more than 10' anyway and the damage bonuses stack).
That's all I can think of offhand.
ares5
03-27-06, 02:23 PM Check out Dragon magazine #310 (the special update series 1 of 3). Inside you'll find specialized fighter classes. One of these is the Targeteer.
TrajanCavalous
03-27-06, 03:12 PM "One level of Exotic Weapon Master gives you the ability to fire an exotic ranged weapon without provoking an attack of opportunity. Greatbow from Complete Warrior fits that bill nicely."

Amen. If you are making an archer using fighter, you take one level of Exotic Weapon Master and the rest fighter.

Imho, the best archers are casters, specifically an Elven cleric with the Elf and War domains. Just my opinion.
Vash_The_Stampede
04-18-06, 10:07 AM Just to reply on a bit more older thread. What did you pick eventually?

I'm having the same "problem". We're about to start a new campaign and i will be a ranger here. Though i'm dubbing between a normal ranger taking full-round attacks or go for the scout with the Order of the Bow initate and go for a moving target dealing out single shots each round.
DM_Greatness
04-18-06, 10:23 AM Prestige Classes are totally uneeded (and grossly overused) in this game. An old school Elvish Fighter would give you everything that you need, and more.

As a different character, but a very fun one, the old school Elvish Ranger, following the bow line would be great deal of fun to play too, with all spells, tracking, a pet, and 6/level skill points that can be spent for mobility, detection, and stealth.

There is a Splat book ranger spell 'Hunters Mercy' that makes you next hit with a bow an automatic crit.

And... There is a totally busted Splat book class for middle-schoolers called the scout, where you get to totally run away from anything mildly heroic, and get to inflict extra damage dice for doing so!

Take your pick, and have fun in your game!

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Zaknafein43608 03-26-06, 09:50 AM	I was looking to make an elven archer-type, and was wondering what would be the best way to go about this? I had started a thread a few days ago about there being no actual "archer" PrC, but I have since decided that the best way to start this is by being a fighter as suggested. The bonus feats help amazingly. I just want to know what to take as a PrC. I'm trying to stay away from the Arcane Archer, I don't want to dilude that character with sorcerer or mage levels. I was thinking about either the Order of the Bow Initiate or the Scout. What do you all think? Any and all help will be appreciated.
MasterOfPsychic 03-26-06, 10:02 AM	Scout is no PrC.... But WHY? Why take a prc? It has no logic at all, as you just seem to play a generetic archer...
Zaknafein43608 03-26-06, 10:28 AM	Scout is no PrC.... But WHY? Why take a prc? It has no logic at all, as you just seem to play a generetic archer... Sorry, my bad. The Scout is a character class. But to answer your question, it's not totally necessary for me to take a PrC. I was just looking to see what would help in his archery. What I am trying to do is make a character that resembles what the elves in LotR at the Battle of Helm's Deep were like. I liked Haldir alot, and I am BIG on what my characters look like for character drawing and all. I know it sounds silly to put so much effort into my characters, but that's just the way I am. I have been this way for a long time, since I have been playing D&D since 1981. I hope that you know what I am referencing as what the look is I am describing here? If not, I have no clue as to how to show you a picture of what I am talking about. But, getting back to what you are saying, I should just stay as a fighter and build that way?
Wolf72 03-26-06, 04:02 PM	stay fighter all the way ... just my opinion.
Mitchell 03-26-06, 09:15 PM	There is an archer-type PrC in the Complete Warrior, if you want to investigate that, but the feats that the fighter class offer will allow you to build a formidable archer without going anywhere else. I would give you the name, but my books aren't handy right now, and I always seem to get it wrong when I go from memory. :)
ksbsnowowl 03-27-06, 11:45 AM	Check the Archer Build Thread linked in my sig.
moriarty13 03-27-06, 02:11 PM	Fighter will give you more than enough feats to make a good archer, but multiclassing or going into a PrC gives you other things. For example, a scout/fighter will probably do more damage in mobile situations than a pure fighter. A Rogue/Fighter gives options for hiding and sniping (especially if you use all those feats to get into Shadowdancer and get Hide in Plain Sight). Fighter is fine, but just look around for multiclassing to make it more FUN:). Though there aren't many really good PrCs for archers. One level of Exotic Weapon Master gives you the ability to fire an exotic ranged weapon without provoking an attack of opportunity. Greatbow from Complete Warrior fits that bill nicely. Highland Stalker from Complete Adventurer can build on a nice fighter/scout beginning to get some nice tracking toys and advanced skirmish (and full BAB). Order of the Bow Initiate synergizes REALLY well with skirmish (bonus bow damage is only applied to a single shot as a standard action, which works nicely since you want to move more than 10' anyway and the damage bonuses stack). That's all I can think of offhand.
ares5 03-27-06, 02:23 PM	Check out Dragon magazine #310 (the special update series 1 of 3). Inside you'll find specialized fighter classes. One of these is the Targeteer.
TrajanCavalous 03-27-06, 03:12 PM	"One level of Exotic Weapon Master gives you the ability to fire an exotic ranged weapon without provoking an attack of opportunity. Greatbow from Complete Warrior fits that bill nicely." Amen. If you are making an archer using fighter, you take one level of Exotic Weapon Master and the rest fighter. Imho, the best archers are casters, specifically an Elven cleric with the Elf and War domains. Just my opinion.
Vash_The_Stampede 04-18-06, 10:07 AM	Just to reply on a bit more older thread. What did you pick eventually? I'm having the same "problem". We're about to start a new campaign and i will be a ranger here. Though i'm dubbing between a normal ranger taking full-round attacks or go for the scout with the Order of the Bow initate and go for a moving target dealing out single shots each round.
DM_Greatness 04-18-06, 10:23 AM	Prestige Classes are totally uneeded (and grossly overused) in this game. An old school Elvish Fighter would give you everything that you need, and more. As a different character, but a very fun one, the old school Elvish Ranger, following the bow line would be great deal of fun to play too, with all spells, tracking, a pet, and 6/level skill points that can be spent for mobility, detection, and stealth. There is a Splat book ranger spell 'Hunters Mercy' that makes you next hit with a bow an automatic crit. And... There is a totally busted Splat book class for middle-schoolers called the scout, where you get to totally run away from anything mildly heroic, and get to inflict extra damage dice for doing so! Take your pick, and have fun in your game!